12 Days of Holiday: Out With A Bang

Hope you all had a wonderful New Year's Eve!

Now when I think of holiday fashion, I think metallics, glitter, silk, and sequins.  When you're hanging out at home or in another super casual situation, anything goes.  This is an unorthodox holiday look, but it's what I wore for New Year's Eve this year.

Sweater:  Target (May be available in some stores)

Pants:  New York & Company (Similar here)

We decided to spend New Year's Eve with the kids, taking a trip to the skating rink and enjoying a sparkling cider toast.

I wore this comfy outfit - perfect for watching the kids skate and lounging around the house after!

Clutch:  Vintage
Heels:  Target (Available in other colors here)

Of course, I wore flats for the casual evening, but the yellow heels would be fun to dress the look up a bit.

Bracelets:  Express

What did you wear for New Year's Eve?  Post your look on my Facebook page "Style Cassentials."  I'd love to see it!

For these pants in another outfit, see here.

12 Days of Holiday: New Year's Cocktail

Sometimes New Year's Eve calls for more formal attire. 

Dress:  Eva Mendes for New York & Company (Available here)

Sparkly dresses are great, but I love black dresses for the clean slate they provide.  This one-shoulder dress is different for me, but I was attracted to it as I think it can be worn in a variety of ways.  

To create a cocktail look, I added a few sparkly sunburst brooches and metallic belt.  I mixed gold and silver here with a pop of rhinestones to add more formality.  

Heels:  Simply Vera by Vera Wang

Clutch:  New York & Company (Available in black here)

The brooch on the shoulder actually came with the dress (it's removable), and I added the other brooch to my belt to create more visual interest.  I have been looking for some pretty brooches for a while, so I was excited to find these as part of Eva Mendes' collaboration with New York & Company.

Earrings:  Torrid
Brooch:  Eva Mendes by New York & Company (Available here)

Belt:  Torrid

This dress is too long, and I haven't had a chance to alter it yet.  I used the belt to create an asymmetrical look that added a bit of drape as well.

After some consideration, we plan on staying in with the kids for New Year's, so my look will be decidedly more casual than cocktail attire, but it's fun to play around with sparkly champagne looks!  :-)

Ring:  The Limited (Available here)

Hope you all have a safe and healthy New Year's Eve!!!  My last holiday post up soon!

12 Days of Holiday: Winter Floral

I'm addicted to black, especially for evenings, but it's fun to break out of the black rut every now and then.  This possibility for New Year's Eve includes more colorful pieces inspired by the winter season.

Jeans:  The Limited (Available here)
Blouse:  LOFT (old)

Blazer:  LOFT Petites (Available here)

The plum jacket complements the purples and burgundy in the blouse, and the ruby red and emerald green colors always make me think of winter!

Clutch:  Vintage
Heels:  Target (old) (Similar here)

The jeans keep the look casual and easy, but the silky top and cocktail ring strike an evening balance.

Earrings:  The Limited (Similar here)

Ring:  The Limited (old)

Would you wear jeans for New Year's Eve?

For this blouse in another look, see here.
For these jeans in another look, see here.
For this blazer in another outfit, see here.

12 Days of Holiday: Solid Gold

I hope you all have having a wonderful holiday season! 

Yesterday marked the start of Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve is just around the corner.  I'm not a particularly religious person, but I love the themes of birth/re-birth, community, family, and giving that the winter holidays celebrate. 

A new year, in particular, is a time for reflection on the blessings and challenges of the past year.  A new year gives rise to the possibilities of change, renewal, and revitalization.  It's a time to celebrate the past, present, and the future.

No matter what I do for the evening, New Year's Eve is one of my favorite times.  With this special night just around the corner, I'm thinking of party fashion!

Dress:  The Limited (old)

Jacket:  The Limited

I'm still not sure what my New Year's plans will be.  For the last several years, New Year's Eve has consisted of music, snacks, sparkling grape juice, and board games with the kiddos as we counted down to the new year with the Times Square Ball drop on TV. 

This year, we are toying with the option of a New Year's Eve date night, so I'm having fun considering my wardrobe options.

Shoes:  Payless (old)

Clutch:  The Limited
Belt:  The Limited

This look has a slight 70s disco feel.  It's super comfortable and would be perfect for a drinks and dancing with the man. 

Tights could certainly be added for extra warmth.  Truth be told, I was freezing during these pictures, so if I were to wear this outfit, I'd be adding some fun printed tights.

Earrings:  The Limited

Do you celebrate New Year's Eve?  What are your plans for this year?  Know what you're wearing?

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas, a happy Hanukkah, a wonderful Pancha Ganapati, a joyous Yule, a fantastic holiday season...here's to making 2014 our best ever year!!!

For this dress in other looks, see here and here.
For this jacket in other looks, see here.

12 Days of Holiday: New Year's Eve Sparkle

I'm not sure what I'll be wearing for New Year's Eve yet, but this is one outfit idea.

Skirt:  Forever 21+ (Similar here)
Blazer:  The Limited (Available here)

I love the mix of metallics, and I'm a sucker for sparkle.

I'm absolutely loving this faux leather envelope skirt from Forever 21+.  

Tank:  Gap (old)

Tights:  The Limited (Available here)

Unfortunately, it's a little too big and longer than I'd like it to be, so I'm not sure it's a keeper.  Some items can be easily altered, but this skirt may be more trouble and costly than it's worth.  On bottom, I am typically a 10-12 in misses/straight sizing.  Being bigger on top, blouses, sweaters, and dresses from F21 usually fit great.  The junior plus-size fit gives me perfect proportions in those items. 

Bracelets:  LOFT (Available here, here, and here)

This is my first attempt at buying a bottom from the store, and I am wondering if their bottoms fit more like traditional plus-size 12 vs. straight size 12.  I can only get F21+ on-line, and I don't want to keep attempting buying skirts or pants if they are very unlikely to fit. Anyone know how the sizing of bottoms generally compares to straight sizing?

Clutch:  The Limited
Boots:  Fergaliciious by Fergie (Available here)

Will you be wearing sparkle this New Year's?

For this blazer in another look, see here.
For this top in another look, see here.

Workin' into the New Year!

Happy New Year's Eve, everyone!!!

New Year's Eve is one of my favorite holidays, second only to Halloween.  New Year's Eve reminds me of the cyclical nature of time and of all life.  I love the idea of rebirth and renewal that a new year brings.  As 2012 draws to a close, I am reflecting on the challenges and triumphs of the last year and looking forward to 2013.

I'm not a major resolution maker, but I do take the opportunity of New Year's to think about my goals and plans for the next year and to reflect on how I can make myself a better person than I was the last year.  One of my great sources of joy in 2012 has been starting this blog and watching it grow.  I'm still in the infantile stages, but I am excited and eager to continue this journey!

I had to work today, but I still wanted a bit of a festive look for the day.  I am always up for a tuxedo-inspired look, and I love the simplicity of this monochromatic look.

Blazer:  The Limited (No longer available on-line; see here)
Top:  The Limited (Available here)

Pants:  The Limited
Heels:  Target (Available here)

The draped Grecian-inspired knit top is super comfortable, and the draping is flattering.

My plans for New Year's include watching movies, playing Wii, and drinking sparkling grape juice with my kiddos, which means I'll probably be in sweats tonight.

Necklace:  World Market (old)
Purse:  The Limited (old)
Ring:  The Limited (old)

Going out for New Year's?  Would love to see your looks!  "Like" me on Facebook and post your New Year's looks!

Hope you all have a wonderful and safe New Year's Eve!

See you in 2013!!!

Christmas Sparkle

Happy Holidays, everyone! 

Today, I wore one of my favorite looks. 

Blouse:  Gap (old) (Similar here and here)
Blazer:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)

Pants:  The Limited (Available here)
Shoes:  Target (old)

This sequin top has multi-color metallic sequins, which makes it really versatile.  

Paired with the champagne blazer, the sequins on this blouse remind me of champagne bubbles.  The look feels super festive, and with a great clutch, would be great for a New Year's Eve out with friends.

Satchel:  The Limited (Available here)
Earrings:  The Limited (Similar here)

Rings:  New York & Company

Do you have any exciting plans for New Year's Eve?  What do you plan on wearing?